by Boom, Naomi
“Lady Robbins,” Gavin said stiffly.
Laura interceded, not wanting to make matters worse. “We were just discussing something very important and…”
Lady Robbins interrupted, “With your mouths? Normally verbal communication is required for a discussion, but I see you discovered a different method.” She laughed, although she was the only one amused. “You see this works very well for me. You, Lady Laura, have something I want, and now I have something you want me to forget.”
Laura stilled and eyed her in a calculated manner. “You intend to blackmail me? I cannot be blamed for this oaf’s actions.”
The tension was palpable between them, which left Gavin scrambling to catch up. What was happening between the two? Before he could ask, Lady Robbins said, “No one will care whether you wanted his attentions or not. All I have to do is casually mention how I saw Lord Farris ravishing you in the park, and you would be ruined.” She swept a dubious glance at Gavin. “Unless he marries you, of course.”
Laura looked extremely unhappy but agreed. “Fine. I will break off the relationship between myself and Lord Dunbar.” She glared daggers at Lady Robbins, then turned on her heel and walked away.
Gavin finally understood what had transpired and asked Lady Robbins, “You want Lord Dunbar?” Their previous conversation suddenly made a lot more sense.
Lady Robbins nodded and winked at him. “You are welcome.” She raised her voice to Laura’s receding back and said, “Consider my memory erased then.” And promptly departed.
Even though he could tell by the set of her shoulders that Laura was angry, Gavin was overjoyed by what had just happened. He could not have planned it better himself. He hurried to Laura’s side and walked with her in silence. Why speak when his goal for the day was accomplished? Although upon reflection of the scene, he would not mind if Laura was ruined and he was forced to marry her. That would certainly lessen the difficulty of his situation.
“Hmph,” Laura muttered loudly and broke the silence.
“Do you have something caught in your throat?” Gavin asked politely.
“Of course not.” She paused and then blurted out hurriedly, “I know you do not want to marry, but you could have at least offered to marry me to save my reputation.”
Maybe she would be open to an offer of marriage already. Gavin smiled at her enticingly, he loved to goad her. “Would you like to marry me?”
Laura blushed and quickly said, “Of course not, I have no desire to marry you, but it would have been nice at least to know you would offer.”
The blasted woman was such a contradiction. She wanted an offer of marriage but did not want to marry him. If he had not heard her declaration of love at the house party, he might have been a bit put out by that. “If you do not want to marry me, why do you care that I did not offer for you?”
Laura glowered at him. “It is a matter of principle, my lord. You should offer marriage to ladies you compromise.”
Unable to resist, Gavin stepped nearer to Laura and took her hand. He placed a kiss on the back of it and whispered, “Good to know. Once I compromise you, I will offer.”
Laura snatched her hand away. “You would make a joke out of this.” She turned her back on him and began to walk once more.
“Who said I was joking?” He smirked and caught up to her. He could not help himself.
Her gaze took in his smirk, and Gavin could tell she was on the brink of all-out anger. “This is not funny.” She stomped her foot, which was quite impressive, seeing as she was still walking. “If you insist on bothering me incessantly, then I think I deserve some reassurance that you will either behave yourself, or promise to make amends should you ruin me.”
Her walk had turned from graceful to a jerky movement that no lady should engage in. He also noted, with a good dose of amusement, that she had another gaping hole in her skirt. “I thought you had that repaired.”
“What?” She whirled on him suddenly. If Gavin had reacted any slower, he would have run into her.
“Your skirt.” He gestured toward the hole in her riding habit and said, “You evidently have a new hole in it.”
With a cry of indignation, she threw her hands in the air. “I have had enough of you, my lord. I do not know what your agenda is, but if it is to see me sent to an insane asylum, you are performing admirably well.”
He smiled lazily, and she promptly swatted him on his arm. His mind barely registered the feeble blow. “Contrary to your belief, my goal is not to drive you to Bedlam.” He drew her toward him, although she kept her back rebelliously straight, and he lifted his hand to the side of her face. She was so soft and inviting. “I cannot keep myself away from you, and I think you prefer me around.”
Her eyes flashed. “I know you are just toying with me again, my lord. I am not an idiot. You toyed with me at the house party, and here you are doing it again.” The wind blew strongly, but neither felt it as the tension between them warded it off.
“I am not toying with you.”
Suddenly, her anger disappeared and was replaced by sorrow. “Then what is this? You offer friendship, and then kiss me. Now, I have to start over in finding a husband, but how is it possible with you around all the time?”
The look in her eyes reminded him of the day at the ruins. They haunted him, and he could not allow her to feel despair anymore. “Lord Dunbar is not the right man for you. I am not toying with you, and if I did compromise you, I would certainly marry you.”
Her mouth opened in shock, and she gazed with her violet eyes into his. She had never looked more kissable. Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves broke the stillness, and Gavin stepped back. The groom had infuriatingly chosen that moment to return.
Gavin helped Laura into her saddle and mounted his own horse. They rode quietly until they arrived at the park entrance. Gavin looked at her and promised, “Until later then.” Laura nodded in acknowledgement, and he began his ride to his relative’s house. It was a bit early to make calls, but Lady Chadwick was family.
He mounted the steps to the doorway and lifted the brass knocker. Lady Chadwick was a bit of an eccentric, so one never knew what she had going on. He waited, and within a few moments, the door swung open. He could not recall the last time he had visited, so was unsurprised the butler did not recognize him.
The butler performed a smart bow and said condescendingly, “Lady Chadwick is not receiving guests at this time.” He then began to shut the door.
Gavin shoved a foot in the doorway. “She will receive me.” He moved past the butler into the hallway. “Tell her Lord Farris has arrived and is awaiting her in the library.” Pausing on his way to the library, he ordered, “Send a breakfast tray to me while I wait.” He did not wait to see the butler’s expression but imagined he was unhappy. He knew his aunt, as she demanded he call her, would not mind his sudden visit, and that was what mattered. Several long minutes passed before a maid brought in a tea tray and a newspaper. She promised to bring more substantial fare shortly and left, leaving Gavin to wonder how long his wait was going to be.
Halfway through the newspaper, he heard footsteps and the butler appeared. “My lord, your aunt awaits you in the dining room.” He bowed and led the way, not waiting to see if Gavin followed.
Evidently, the butler had been apprised of Gavin’s relation to Lady Chadwick and was now slightly more accommodating as a result. Lady Chadwick had insisted he call her aunt and she had called him nephew since before he could remember. He had asked her why when he was still at Eton and was told the term made her sound younger than other titles he might call her. So aunt it was and always would be.
“Good morning.” Gavin cheerfully greeted his aunt as he crossed the room to kiss Lady Chadwick’s cheek. She had just awoken and was wearing a dressing gown with her long gray hair braided down her back. He knew she was at least seventy-five and in perfectly good health, although a bit too frail for his liking.
Lady Chadwick shooed him away, gesturing to a ch
air that he was supposed to use next to her. Once seated, she asked, “I always wished you would visit me, although I would have preferred if it was not under these circumstances.” She glared at him. “Would that be too difficult?”
Gavin swallowed. “I will be sure to visit again in the near future.” He smiled his most dazzling smile. “Or maybe you will grant me the honor of escorting you somewhere? I have a box at the theater, you know.”
She flashed a sardonic look at him, saying, “I will hold you to that.” A maid carried in a small glass of chocolate and placed it in front of his aunt. She sipped daintily, and asked, “Should I assume you are here because of a certain piece of gossip I heard recently?”
Gavin appreciated how she did not beat around the bush. “Yes, dear aunt, and to share breakfast with you, of course.”
“I do not know how you found out so quickly, but I am going to guess it has something to do with your Lady Laura. Does she know of your feelings for her?”
Now Gavin remembered why he did not visit more frequently. Lady Chadwick was much too astute for his liking. “It may have something to do with her. However, she would like to remain anonymous in this ordeal, if in fact, she did play a part.”
“Hmph. Normally I do not approve of people who betray their own family, but I can make an exception this time.” She eyed him as though she had just snuck a peek at his soul. “Now, tell me what is happening with your family.”
Gavin and Lady Chadwick conversed for two full hours. He kept trying to steer the topic of conversation back to the gossip about his sister, but his aunt seemed to want to prolong his visit as much as possible. Finally, she stood and withdrew an envelope from the sideboard. “Give this to Miss Ashford. It should solve your problems where she is concerned quite effectively.”
He accepted the envelope and prepared to leave. He would be able to venture immediately to the Ashford residence to finish his business, once he collected Lord Collins. As he said his goodbye, Lady Chadwick said, “Good luck with Lady Laura. I look forward to meeting her soon…” She giggled. “As your wife.”
Gavin could only shake his head and thank her. He was about to have a very difficult conversation with Lord Collins. He was worried how Lord Collins would take the news of Miss Ashford’s scheme to hurt Alexa, but knew his friend would appreciate knowing the real person he had desired to marry.
****
Laura scurried up to her room and ordered a bath. She supposed she could at least smell nice for the upcoming ordeal she was to face. The tub was filled quickly, and Laura sank in to the steaming hot water. The idea that she would soon be turning away Lord Dunbar as a suitor was shocking.
Having declared two months prior that she would marry the viscount, the thought had never crossed her mind that she would be the one to say no. Her own sense of inadequacy had prepared her for the chance that Lord Dunbar would be uninterested in her, but never the opposite. She was left scrambling to come up with the words to say to him.
One thought had crossed her mind. She could ignore Lady Robbins’s blackmail attempt, but she had quickly nixed that idea. A part of her was relieved to be free from Lord Dunbar, but part of her preferred him over the struggle of finding a new suitor. If she did ignore Lady Robbins, and the lady went through with her threat, Laura would end up with a scandal on her hands and a husband that did not truly want her. There really was nothing left for her to do but agree.
Laura emerged from the tub and toweled off. Anna helped garb Laura in a smoky blue day dress. Her maid was nervous about something, so Laura asked, “Is everything all right?”
Anna swept her a frightened look. “I am so sorry, my lady.” She was shaking, and was clearly overwrought about something. “He was just so handsome.”
Laura stopped combing her hair and confusedly asked, “What are you talking about?”
Anna wrung her hands and then blurted out, “He was just so handsome. I knew I should not care, but it seemed innocent enough, so I may have mentioned you liked to ride in Hyde Park.”
Laura’s hands stilled. “Calm down,” she said sternly and set her brush aside. “Now, what man?”
Anna was pacing agitatedly at this point. “I know you will dismiss me, but I could not live with myself if I did not confess. A footman belonging to some lord—I believe he was a viscount—wanted information about you. I swear I only told him about your daily ride!”
Tears pooled in the maid’s eyes, and Laura took pity on her. “Calm down, Anna. I am not going to discharge you.” There were only two viscounts in her acquaintance, and only one had happened upon her in the park, but why? Why would he go to such lengths to see her?
Anna’s countenance brightened, and she looked gratefully at Laura. “He really was irresistible.”
Laura knew all too well the powers handsome men could use on unwitting females. “Just make sure you never speak of me to anyone else, ever, or you will get dismissed.”
Anna nodded and helped Laura into a pair of slippers that matched her gown. Laura had not been sure what outfit would be appropriate for breaking off her relationship to Lord Dunbar and had decided on her current gown, which should be somber enough, but not too somber. After all, Lord Farris was stopping by later.
Anna began to style her hair, and Laura stared unseeingly into the mirror. To think, Lord Farris would stoop to such levels to find out her whereabouts, when she had purposefully been avoiding him. She could vividly recall the frustrations she had dealt with at the Songfeld house party, and now, this season was turning out eerily similar. Everywhere she went, Lord Farris appeared.
She had thought she loved Lord Farris before, but what she felt for him now went far beyond any feelings she had known previously. It aggravated her to no end that he would not simply leave her alone. He evidently wished to happen upon her, and then say confusing things to her, but to what end? Despite his actions, Lord Farris had plainly expressed his disinterest in marriage, and she could do nothing but assume his sentiments were still the same. No matter how many times he told her not to marry someone or informed her he could not leave her alone. She had no other choice.
Laura left her room to join her cousin in the parlor for tea. This was the typical routine for them, unless they were going out to call on friends. Both Eleanor and Lady Ashford were waiting for her with a tea tray. Laura tried to act as if everything was normal by taking a seat in her typical spot by the fireplace. After eating several biscuits and drinking a cup of tea, Laura began to relax until a knock sounded on the door. Shortly after, the butler led Lord Dunbar into the room.
Lord Dunbar bowed crisply. “Good morning, ladies. I trust all of you are in good health.”
Lady Ashford spoke for the room. “We are all in excellent health, my lord. Care for some tea?”
“No, thank you. My visit is to be a short one. I was hoping to speak to Lady Laura.” He paused and smiled, fully aware how important his next word was. “Alone.”
Lady Ashford’s eyes shone with joy as she beckoned to Eleanor. They gracefully exited the room and closed the door firmly behind them.
Laura was incapable of moving, even if she had wanted to.
His masculine voice was the first to break the silence. “Lady Laura, I know we have only known each other a short while, but I want to make my intentions clear.” He searched Laura’s face for a moment, until suddenly his open expression shifted to a hard mask. “Aah. I will not waste any more of your time, then.”
The feeling returned to her limbs which allowed Laura to hasten from her chair. She could not allow him to leave like this. “My lord, please understand, it is not you.”
His smile was grim. “Lord Farris has beaten me. I had worried that might happen.”
“No,” she quickly interjected. “He is but a friend. I could not marry you knowing how Lady Robbins feels about you.” That was mostly true.
An expression passed quickly over his face that Laura could not identify. “Not to be vulgar, but why does it matter how my paramo
ur feels for me?”
“I do not mean to overstep, but I think if you were inclined to ask for her hand, she might give it.” He stopped and considered her words. He was apparently much better at hiding his emotions than she, because Laura could not determine the direction of his thoughts.
“Thank you for the information.” He bowed stiffly. “Have a good day.” As he exited the house, Eleanor and Lady Ashford quickly joined her once more.
Eleanor spoke first. “Well, are you to be the next Lady Dunbar?”
“No,” Laura said simply. They did not need to know the details.
“Well, why not?” Eleanor asked, surprised.
“It was just not meant to be.”
Evidently annoyed, Eleanor huffed and sat back, only to bolt upright as the butler announced Lord Collins and Lord Farris.
“My lords, how good of you to join us,” Lady Ashford cooed.
Lord Farris snuck a smile at Laura, as Lord Collins spoke coldly. “This will be brief.” He crossed to Eleanor’s location and extended Lady Chadwick’s letter. “This is for you. Understand if you should try something like this again, your prospects will be narrowed to the truly desperate.” Both gentlemen bowed and left.
“Well, that was most odd. What is the letter he gave you, Eleanor dear?” Lady Ashford asked.
Her hands shook, but that was all the emotion Eleanor betrayed as she opened the missive. She quickly read its contents and then answered, “Lady Chadwick is a relative of Lord Farris. If I ever speak of Miss Farris again, she will make sure I regret it.”
“I have never heard they are related!” Lady Ashford said indignantly, as if that was the most important point contained in the letter.